Most Golfer's Don't Know About This Style of Stretching!

In this YouTube video (HERE), I go through a style of stretching that most golfers don’t know about… It’s Contract-Relax stretching. There are different styles of Contract-Relax stretching, however, after using different approaches with clients, and spending time reviewing the research, the version presented in this video is what I’ve found works well for most golfers.

A Contract-Relax stretch typically starts with a static stretch. From there, you gently contract the muscle (usually the one being stretched, although in some cases you can contract the opposing muscle), then relax, and move deeper into the stretch. This sequence can be repeated for a few cycles, often allowing you to access a greater range of motion compared to static stretching alone.

There are pros and cons to this style of stretching. In most cases, I would still recommend starting with basic static stretching—especially as the research shows it provides many of the same flexibility benefits. It’s simple, accessible, and effective. However, Contract-Relax stretching may offer an additional advantage when it comes to transferring that flexibility into movement, which is particularly relevant for something like the golf swing.

One of the key reasons for this is that Contract-Relax stretching involves both muscular activation and relaxation. This can help improve your awareness and control at end ranges of motion, rather than just passively increasing flexibility. For golfers, this is important because the swing is a dynamic, coordinated movement—not just a series of static positions.

It’s also worth noting that more flexibility isn’t always better. The aim should be to develop usable range of motion—mobility that you can control and apply within your swing. This is where Contract-Relax stretching can fit in nicely as a progression, particularly for golfers who already have a base level of flexibility and are looking to refine how they move.

From a practical standpoint, you might include Contract-Relax stretching towards the end of a mobility session, or even as part of a warm-up if done in a controlled manner. It doesn’t need to replace other forms of stretching, but rather complement them.

As always, the goal isn’t just to stretch more, but to move better. And if you can improve how your body controls and uses its available range, that’s where you’re likely to see the biggest carryover into your golf swing.